Open-door laminoplasty in pediatric spinal neurosurgery.

Multilevel laminotomy entails the risk of instability of the spine. In this paper we propose an application of the open-door laminoplasty technique in pediatric spinal neurosurgery. A standard laminotomy is performed at one side while a groove is drilled out at the other side to preserve the internal periosteum of the lamina. This allows a rolling elevation without complete separation of the laminae. The advantages of such a method are discussed.